Development of Chitosan Microsphere-Based Herbal Formulations for Targeted Therapy in Obesity Management

The present study was aimed to prepare and evaluate curcumin-piperine-loaded microspheres, assess their sustained anti-obesity effects in obese rats, and investigate the enhancement of curcumin bioavailability through piperine. Curcumin microspheres were successfully formulated and characterized for particle size, morphology, flow properties, entrapment efficiency, and stability. FTIR analysis confirmed no significant interaction between drug and polymers, while SEM showed spherical particles with smooth surfaces and sizes ranging from 1.676 to 5.490µm. The microspheres exhibited good flow properties, high yield (44.6–97.4%), and satisfactory entrapment efficiency (46.4–73.3%), with optimal performance at a 1:4 drug-to-polymer ratio. Cross-linked formulations demonstrated reduced swelling and pH-dependent, colon-targeted sustained release, as confirmed by mucoadhesive and release kinetics studies. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution data showed enhanced bioavailability, delayed T _max (8 h), and a six-fold increase in AUC compared to plain curcumin. In-vivo results revealed significant reductions in body weight, BMI, lipid parameters (TC, TGs, LDL), glucose levels, and organ weight, with an increase in HDL levels, particularly at the 200mg/kg dose. Stability studies over three months confirmed the robustness of the formulation, making curcumin-loaded microspheres a promising candidate for effective anti-obesity therapy with enhanced bioavailability.